You know when you score a hot rotisserie chicken fresh off the spit at the grocery store and spend the entire drive home wiping drool off your chin as the aroma whets your appetite into a frenzy?.
Well, you’re not alone. The National Chicken Council thinks that this year, more than 950 million rotisserie chickens will fly off the shelves and onto people’s plates. That’s almost three chickens per person!.
What’s not to love? They’re tasty and convenient, and can cost less than a fancy coffee shop latte. “Rotisserie chicken is often very competitively priced and a lot cheaper than eating out,” says Anne-Marie Roerink, founder of the grocery market research firm 210 Analytics. She says this grocery store mainstay is most popular with younger shoppers but a big seller among all ages, incomes, and regions.
Because it’s a high-protein, low-saturated-fat meat, you might assume a rotisserie chicken is better for you than takeout, too. But is that the case? To find out, CR’s nutrition experts evaluated the nutritional information and ingredients for 16 rotisserie chickens from seven supermarkets’ websites (Kroger, Publix, Safeway, Stop & Shop, Walmart, Wegmans, and Whole Foods), three club stores (BJ’s Wholesale Club, Costco, and Sam’s Club), and one fast-casual chain restaurant (Boston Market). While you’ll find flavors such as lemon butter, herb, Latin, and barbecue in stores, we looked at each store’s simplest chickens, which were often labeled plain or original.
The findings? “You can’t assume that all rotisserie chicken is just a plain cooked chicken,” says CR nutritionist Amy Keating, RD.
Rotisserie chickens are a staple for many families looking for a quick convenient protein to add to meals. But when meal prepping or planning leftovers an important question arises how many ounces of meat can you expect to get from one rotisserie chicken? The answer depends on several factors. Keep reading as I break down exactly how many ounces are typically in a rotisserie chicken.
The Average Rotisserie Chicken Yields 20-28 Ounces of Meat
A rotisserie chicken usually gives you 20 to 28 ounces of cooked chicken meat that you can eat. There may be big differences from this range, though, depending on the chicken’s size, breed, fat content, how it’s cooked, and how well it’s carved.
To understand the potential fluctuation in ounces of meat, let’s look at some of the key factors:
Chicken Size Directly Impacts Total Yield
It makes sense that a larger rotisserie chicken will contain more meat. Most grocery store rotisserie chickens range from 3-4 pounds before cooking. After cooking, a general rule of thumb is that 50-70% of the original weight will be edible chicken meat.
- A 3 pound raw chicken may yield around 20 ounces cooked.
- A 4 pound raw chicken could potentially give you 28+ ounces.
So when estimating how many ounces you’ll get, pay attention to the total size and weight.
Breed and Fat Content Influences Usable Meat
The breed of chicken affects the ratio of bone, muscle, and fat. Chickens bred specifically for meat tend to be plumper in the breast with a higher proportion of white meat. The fat content can also change the final yield – chickens with more fat will lose a bit more weight as the fat renders out during cooking. This rendered fat keeps the meat moist and flavorful but does not count toward the total usable ounces of meat.
Proper Carving Maximizes the Useable Meat
Believe it or not, carving skill significantly impacts the total ounce yield. A professional chef who is highly skilled at carving chickens can extract more edible meat compared to an amateur home cook. The key is efficiently separating all the meat from the bones while avoiding waste. Leaving large portions of meat behind on the carcass reduces your total ounce count.
Preparation Methods May Add Water Weight
While preparation doesn’t change the actual amount of chicken meat, methods like brining or injecting broth can increase moisture retention and weight. Any seasonings or rubs also add a tiny amount of extra weight. For the purposes of figuring total usable chicken meat, it’s best to ignore this small added water weight from prep.
Other Important Considerations When Buying Rotisserie Chicken
Beyond just the ounce yield, there are some other useful things I considered when purchasing a pre-cooked grocery store rotisserie chicken:
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Cost: A rotisserie chicken will usually cost between $5 and $10, but this will depend on the store. Some places offer discount days making it even more affordable.
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Health factors: Rotisserie chickens can be healthy with lots of lean protein, but watch out for high sodium levels from brines and seasonings. Consider removing the skin to cut down on total fat.
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Shelf life: A fully cooked rotisserie chicken will stay fresh in the fridge for three to four days if it is stored in a container that keeps air out. Freeze any leftovers for longer storage.
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Leftover ideas: Shred leftover chicken for tacos, sandwiches, pasta, soup, casseroles, and more! Don’t toss the carcass – use it to make homemade stock.
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Buying vs. cooking your own: Buying a rotisserie chicken that is already cooked is the easiest and cheapest option. But cooking your own allows control over ingredients and seasonings.
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Safety: Check that chicken reaches 165°F internally before eating. Reheat fully when using leftovers. Discard if you notice any foul odors.
Tips for Getting the Most Meat When Carving a Rotisserie Chicken
Since carving skill directly relates to total usable meat, here are my best tips for getting every last ounce out of your rotisserie chicken:
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Use a sharp carving knife for clean, efficient cuts. Dull knives tear meat.
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Start by removing the legs and thighs, then the wings.
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Next, slice the breast meat off the breastbone in a single piece.
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For the remaining meat on the carcass, use a fork to gently pull and shred it off.
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Don’t forget about the “oysters” – two small, dark meat nuggets on the chicken’s back near the thighs.
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Visualize the path of the breastbone and ribs to follow the natural seams and get all the meat.
What’s Underneath That Crisp Brown Skin?
To roast a chicken at home, all you have to do is sprinkle it with salt and pepper and put it in the oven. Rotisserie birds often get a different treatment. “Essentially, all rotisserie chickens are enhanced with a solution [injected into the bird] to keep the birds moist and tasty,” says Tom Super, senior vice president of communications for the National Chicken Council.
The problem is that the injection solution might have sugar, processed ingredients like natural flavors, gums, and carrageenan, and too much sodium, which is not good. Keating says, “Natural flavors aren’t always as natural as you might think, and you should try to stay away from processed ingredients as much as possible.” And if you’re thinking chicken isn’t good without salt, just know that some rotisserie chickens have far more than you’d ever add yourself.
Among the worst sodium offenders is Sam’s Club (Member’s Mark Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken), which has 550 mg of sodium per 3-ounce serving—that’s about nine times more sodium than a chicken roasted without salt and about a quarter of the maximum amount of sodium adults should have in a day (2,300 mg). Costco (Kirkland) chickens aren’t much better, clocking in at 460 mg of sodium.
Rotisserie chickens from BJ’s Wholesale Club (Perdue rotisserie chicken), Boston Market, Publix (Deli Original), Safeway (Signature Cafe Traditional), Stop & Shop (Nature’s Promise and “honey”), Walmart (traditional), and Wegmans (nonorganic plain) have less sodium, ranging from 170 to 368 mg.
Kroger (Simple Truth) rotisserie chickens and organic chickens from Wegmans have much lower levels of sodium, at 40 mg and 95 mg, respectively, proving that not all injected birds are bad news. And Kroger’s ingredients are only chicken, water, and sea salt.
Whole Foods chickens are not injected with a solution, but sodium can still be a concern. While the organic plain chicken has a healthy 70 mg of sodium in 3 ounces, the nonorganic plain chicken has 120 mg, and the nonorganic “classic” chicken has 450 mg. But if you skip the skin, you can avoid a lot of that because the seasonings are sprinkled on top, whereas with injected chickens, the sodium is distributed throughout the meat.
When shopping, the best bet is to check the nutrition facts label and ingredients list, or ask the deli manager for the information if it’s not on the packaging. According to the Food and Drug Administration’s food labeling rules, hot rotisserie chickens don’t need to have this information on the package, but stores with 20 or more locations must have the information available to consumers.
CONSUMER REPORTS: Is rotisserie chicken healthy?
FAQ
How many ounces are in a whole rotisserie chicken?
A whole rotisserie chicken typically weighs around 32 ounces (2 pounds). But the weight can be different. For example, the Freshness Guaranteed rotisserie chickens at Walmart weigh 36 ounces or more.
What’s the average size of a rotisserie chicken?
The average rotisserie chicken weighs about 2 pounds and has about 3 cups of meat. This might not seem like a lot compared to the larger raw chickens in the meat case, which average 4 to 6 pounds. It’s important to remember that cooked weight is usually a lot less than fresh weight.
How much meat is in 1 rotisserie chicken?
Typically, the average chicken would mean about 12 ounces of light meat and 8 ounces of dark meat (skin not included), which totals to about 1,037 calories.
How much rotisserie chicken is 3 ounces?
The website Verywell Fit says that 3 ounces of cooked rotisserie chicken is about half a cup, which is about the size of a deck of cards or your palm.
How much does a rotisserie chicken weigh?
According to the Department of Agriculture, store-bought rotisserie chickens weigh around 2. 5 to 4. 5 pounds. They’re not the same birds as the ones in the meat case, which weigh 5 pounds or more.
How much rotisserie chicken should a family eat?
A serving size of rotisserie chicken is 3 to 4 ounces. For a family meal, you’ll likely have leftovers. You can shred up the meat for whole-grain bowls with quinoa, brown rice, or farro, and chopped veggies.
How many calories are in rotisserie chicken?
One of the most appealing aspects of rotisserie chicken is its balanced nutritional profile. A typical serving (about 3 ounces) of rotisserie chicken provides approximately 206 calories. This makes it a moderate-calorie option that fits well into various dietary needs. But what about the macronutrients?.
How much does a Costco rotisserie chicken weigh?
The average Costco rotisserie chicken weighs between 2 and 4 pounds.
How much protein is in a rotisserie chicken?
A rotisserie chicken contains approximately 16 grams of proteins. _, making it a good source for those looking for plenty of healthy protein. For example,_, a rotisserie chicken can contain 2 or 3 eggs,_, 1/2 cup cooked white rice,_, and 4 or 5 tablespoons chopped onion.
How many parts make up a whole rotisserie chicken?
A whole rotisserie chicken is typically composed of four to six parts, including the skin, neck, and heart. The chicken itself is an average serving size of two cups. A whole rotisserie chicken has about 16 grams of protein, so it’s a good choice for people who want to eat a lot of healthy protein.